7-Day Wine & Dine -North Island

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping, and you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland, our largest and most diverse city. Discover the diverse range of cafes and restaurants offering cuisine from around the globe. Visit the Seafood market in the bustling Wynyard Quarter and wander around the boutique market and deli.

In the afternoon, take a short ferry ride and visit the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves, farmland and golden beaches. Take a private food and winery tour and sample local wines and cuisine.

Or: Take an intimate cooking class and lunch experience with New Zealand food personality Julie Biuso. 

In the evening, dine at one of many gastro restaurants: Depot, Ostro, The Sugar Club, or start, to name a few.

Accommodation: Auckland or Waiheke Island

Just south of Auckland lies the Hamilton-Waikato region, a land of lush pastures. Widely regarded as a Waikato icon, Zealong Tea Estate is the only commercial tea estate in New Zealand, producing 100% award-winning organic tea. Stop for a light lunch and wander around the estate, renowned for its picture-perfect, beautifully maintained gardens and grounds. Enjoy the ancient art of the tea ceremony, which describes the fine art of tea appreciation and how to brew the perfect cup. 

Visit the Coromandel Oyster Company and try the famous shucked oysters, paua or mussel fritters!

The Coromandel, renowned for its pristine beaches, misty forests and laid-back vibe, is one of New Zealand's most popular holiday destinations. A binocular view across the gulf from Auckland, The Coromandel is everything that a big city isn’t. It is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed, with a mountainous interior cloaked in the native rainforest and over 400 kilometres of dazzling white sand beaches.

Sit and relax in a warm, bubbling pool at Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your spa for two hours on either side of low tide. Don't miss the spectacular Cathedral Cove, a protected marine reserve jewel.

Accommodation: Coromandel

South of Coromandel lies the lush farmland of the Hamilton - Waikato region. Famous for dairying and fine thoroughbred horses, it's easy to see why these green pastures and rolling hills were chosen to portray Hobbiton and The Shire.

Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing our fascinating Maori culture. From crystal-clear streams and magical forests to epic biking trails and explosive geysers.

Steeped in history and tear-drop shaped, Lake Rotorua can only be described as magical. With geothermal activity surrounding it, this crater lake is a space to unwind and welcome nature for all its beauty. Cruise to majestic Mokoia Island, in the heart of Lake Rotorua, where you'll discover an abundant wildlife sanctuary wrapped in Māori culture.

The Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupo. Then, just before the Huka Falls, it enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed along the gorge before bursting into space out over Huka Falls to crash into the turbulent pool 11 metres below.

Lake Taupo, the largest Lake in this country and the world's largest volcanic crater was created in one giant explosion nearly two thousand years ago. It darkened the sky in Europe and China. Taupo is famous for its fishing and its trophy-sized trout. In the evening, you have the option of boarding a luxury yacht for a scenic sunset cruise and dinner. You even have the option of doing a spot of fishing yourself!

Accommodation: Lake Taupo (or Rotorua)

You leave Lake Taupo through fantastic scenery before you reach the East Coast. There's a bit of everything—rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains, and huge vistas. 

Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier's unique point of difference. A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. As a result, Napier's city centre feels like a time capsule - the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary.

Or: you can visit the iconic Craggy Range vineyard for a wine tasting and lunch. It is situated in the shadow of the spectacular Te Mata Peak in the premium wine-growing area. Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's warmest, driest regions, making it one of the country's leading producers of wine, notably red wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah – but also with some quite stunning whites. Alluvial soils and a distinctly Mediterranean climate produce sophisticated, concentrated reds and weighty, finely-structured chardonnays.

Or: You can prepare your dinner with a cooking class at either Farmhouse Kitchen or Breckenridge Lodge. Both establishments use quality seasonal Hawkes Bay produce. After class, you enjoy a meal and socialize with other members.

Or: dine at one of these renowned Hawkes Bay eateries: Elephant Hill, Pacifica Restaurant, Mint Restaurant ...and more.

Accommodation: Hawkes Bay

Just outside of Napier is the Silky Oak Chocolate Company, which has been making handcrafted chocolates since 1959. Take a chocolate tour or visit the museum and sample some of the delicious chocolates! Visit The True Honey Co and sample some delicious Manuka Honey and purchase some to take home.

Olivo is a fantastic 'tree-to-table' olive grove, walk amongst the oldest olive trees in Martinborough, learning about the different olive varieties. Olivo offers guests a tour of the astounding olive grove and allows guests to witness a range of oils being produced, alongside tasting a variety of infused oils.

Wairarapa is a region of big skies, wide valleys and small towns, full of character. It is also a bonafide food and wine lover’s paradise. Its vineyards are at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and produce some of the world’s best pinot noir.

New Zealand’s capital city is nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour and has a vibrant and compact downtown area that's best explored on foot. Get your city bearings and some of Wellington’s best views at the Mount Victoria Lookout, with panoramic sights of the city, watch the Cook Strait ferries sail into the harbour and the planes go in and out of the airport. One of Wellington's most popular tourist attractions, the cable car runs from Lambton Quay, tunnels under the corporate towers of The Terrace and emerges in Kelburn.

Accommodation: Wellington

Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a potent mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of casual dining, with plenty of great restaurants, night markets and food trucks.

Wellington is said to have more cafes and restaurants per capita than New York. Discover their best by taking a gourmet walking tour and being introduced to New Zealand’s culinary coffee and craft beer capital. You will then be taken to the home of a local foodie for a kiwi afternoon tea.

Dine at one of Wellington's many unique and first-class restaurants: Ortega Fish Shack & Bar, Logan Brown, Hippopotamus ...and more.

Accommodation: Wellington

Your private chauffeur will take you to your departing flight at Wellington airport.